Vote early & often: Two islanders look for support for their art

Well, it looks like two islanders – a writer & a cartoon artist – are moving ahead in their work, and the recognition that goes with it. Both are in contests now, and you can help them by voting for their work! Let me tell you about this, starting with Wendy Wiegert & continuing with Aaron D’Errico. Here’s the scoop:

Wendy told me about her contest three weeks ago, and she has made it into the second round. She tells me that the prize is getting her book published (wahoo!) and now that she’s in the semi-finals; by my count, there is only she & six others still standing.

Here’s the deal: The contest involves writing one’s story around the title of a song, and Wendy’s is “In Walked Love,” which is even cooler after you read her synopsis.

Last round, people voted for the different contestants’ synopses, with voting ending last weekend & Wendy moving to the semis. This round, she & the other contestants share the first 300 words. People vote on that every day till July 7th (yep, the contest says you can vote every day! I did!)

So, here’s the link to the contest (Wendy’s story is “In Walked Love”) – see what you think (not to influence your vote, but I read the others, and liked Wendy’s the best)…and vote!

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That could lead to Wendy’s story coming alive in print. Meanwhile, my good friend Aaron D’Errico is aiming for getting his first comic book made, as he explains in this detailed note about how you can help. He placed in the top 20 of three different Stan Lee Talenthouse art contests, so he’s been chosen by Talenthouse to launch his own global art contest to find an illustrator to draw the 22-page comic book for his soccer-hero, Ammon©.  

His success story was featured on TalentHouse’s blog – you can read it here. (Wow!)

He says:

I was wondering if you you would help me get the word out about my contest, because by me getting enough participation for my contest I could be sponsored and have my first comic book made.

Here’s the link where artists enter my contest, via Talenthouse. Here how it works, and I’ve also included the contest info/guidelines below as well.

“Calling ALL artists!”  Have you ever dreamed of illustrating a superhero comic book?  Now’s your chance!

Local award winning artist and writer Aaron D’Errico is hosting a global art contest via Talenthouse.com to find a great artist to illustrate the origin story of his futuristic soccer superhero: Ammon!

Artists can download the five page comic sample script I wrote for Ammon, as well as art references of my character designs.

I was selected to be a contest host after placing in the top 20 of three different art contests for Talenthouse, hosted by legendary Spider-Man co-creator, Stan Lee.

The goal of the contest is to get as many artists involved as possible.

By getting enough interest from artists participating in my contest on Talenthouse, I will be sponsored by Adidas, Nokia, or Vitamin Water.

Then my project of making my first comic will be funded and the sponsor funds both the winning artist and me.

This is a link RE: a Talenthouse sponsorship promo video.

I’m very excited about this contest and hope to make my family, friends and mentor, comic writer/artist Paul Chadwick proud, as well as Andrew McLaglen, Pat O’Day, and Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee, who told me that he expects “great things” from me.  I’m out to prove him right with the help of Talenthouse, my supporters, and the artists’ participation in my creative invite.

There’s more info and rules, etc, about my contest from the Talenthouse website below.

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This is the text/info from my Talenthouse contest page:

Draw a soccer superhero comic for Aaron D’Errico

I’d always wanted to play soccer like my Dad, so in 2011 I created a soccer-hero for Stan Lee and Talenthouse.

Now, with the help of a talented artist, I want to turn my 22-page origin story of my character, Ammon into a comic book.

The tagline: “It takes a disabled man to defy the cruel, enhanced soccer gladiators of the future.

The stakes: freedom – for himself, and for humanity”.

Ammon faces a segregated league of elite rivals that will do anything to stop him from playing.

Ammon is inspired by elements of my life, as well as my Dad, David D’Errico, the first round draft pick for the 1974 Seattle Sounders soccer team, and Captain of the USA Men’s National soccer team.  http://nasljerseys.com/Players/D/D’Errico.Dave.htm

I am looking to connect with an artist who wants to help me realize my goal of making my first motion comic book. I am looking for up to 5 pages of sequential art for the chance to draw the full comic and cover.

You can download the 5 page sample script and then draw up to five pages of consecutive art for special consideration or submit your previously created work. I’ve included artwork as a reference for you to see how the characters look.

Aaron D’Errico’s Choice

After reviewing submissions the host will select collaborators who I will work with physically or digitally. Collaborators will have their work showcased on the host’s social media channels and receive full credit for their contributions to projects produced.

People’s Choice

Special consideration for the highest voted participants.

Get Involved

Submit by: August 12, 2013
Vote: August 13, 2013 10am PST – August 20, 2013 10am PST
Winner(s) Announced:September 4, 2013

Click ‘Participate’ to review the guidelines and submit your work.

How Aaron D’Errico Will Choose

Aaron D’Errico will select from all qualified submissions with special consideration for the top voted entries. A qualified submission is one which meets all the Terms & Conditions, Guidelines and Official Rules.

Guidelines

Participants must submit an example of their pre-existing work or work can be created for this Invite specifically. Up to 5 pages (5MB max jpg or png)

Submissions must be original. If your submission was the product of a previous collaboration, describe your contribution and give credit to your collaborators.

In the submission description, participants should include how they would like to collaborate with Aaron.

Participants must join using an active email address so if chosen they can be easily contacted.

Official Rules

The winner will be selected by Aaron D’Errico based on their five-page submission of sequential art that correlates with my five-page Ammon sample comic script. The art can be done in pencil/ink/color or computer graphics. The winning artist maintains copyright of their artwork and I (Aaron D’Errico) maintain copyright to the story, characters, and all costume designs.

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Categories: Around Here